Fluorescent bicolour sensor for low-background neutrinoless double ß decay experiments.

Observation of the neutrinoless double ß decay is the only practical way to establish that neutrinos are their own antiparticles1. Because of the small masses of neutrinos, the lifetime of neutrinoless double ß decay is expected to be at least ten orders of magnitude greater than the typical lifetimes of natural radioactive chains, which can mimic the experimental signature of neutrinoless double ß decay2. The most robust identification of neutrinoless double ß decay requires the definition of a signature signal-such as the observation of the daughter atom in the decay-that cannot be generated by radioactive backgrounds, as well as excellent energy resolution. In particular, the neutrinoless double ß decay of 136Xe could be established by detecting the daughter atom, 136Ba2+, in its doubly ionized state3-8. Here we demonstrate an important step towards a 'barium-tagging' experiment, which identifies double ß decay through the detection of a single Ba2+ ion. We propose a fluorescent bicolour indicator as the core of a sensor that can detect single Ba2+ ions in a high-pressure xenon gas detector. In a sensor made of a monolayer of such indicators, the Ba2+ dication would be captured by one of the molecules and generate a Ba2+-coordinated species with distinct photophysical properties. The presence of such a single Ba2+-coordinated indicator would be revealed by its response to repeated interrogation with a laser system, enabling the development of a sensor able to detect single Ba2+ ions in high-pressure xenon gas detectors for barium-tagging experiments.

[Health and social care in an urban nursing home providing healthcare services and primary care's role: A qualitative study with residents, relatives and professionals]. / Atención sociosanitaria en una residencia urbana sanitarizada y el papel de Atención Primaria. Estudio cualitativo con residentes, familiares y profesionales.

AIM: To identify the elements involved in adequate health and social care for old people living in nursing homes, determine their possible barriers and enablers and define primary care's role in it. DESIGN: Qualitative study with phenomenological approach. SETTING: State funded private nursing home and its corresponding primary care center in the southeastern urban area of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: Elderly residents, their relatives, and professionals from the nursing home and the primary care center. METHOD: Five focus groups were conducted between November 2019 and January 2020, with semi-structured interviews based on the variables of analysis and themes related to the objectives. The sessions were recorded and transcribed. An open and axial coding was performed to identify categories after a triangulation of the data. RESULTS: The elements of adequate care identified are individualized care, promotion of autonomy, adequate information to residents and relatives, quality of services, coordination between professionals, and a continuous end of life care. The main barriers are the deficit of professionals, the differences in expectations between users and workers, and the organizational gap between the healthcare system and nursing homes providing healthcare services. The role identified for primary care is mostly bureaucratic. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to continue exploring these elements and to outline the role of primary care in nursing homes with different characteristics.